Improving University Programs Online

May 7, 2018/ Laurelle Jno Baptiste / Blog, e-Learning, Higher Education, Mobile, non-profits, Organizations, Sales, University

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The recent advancements in technology and the improvements in online education delivery, have made it possible to give those programs a major facelift with minimal change. Online programs of universities are usually incredibly diverse, they are filled with students of different educational backgrounds, experience levels, and aptitudes. This is why we have helped many educational institutions to add programs that prioritize practical skills, prior knowledge, and individual learning abilities with competency-based online programs.

1. Competency-Based Education

Competency-based education provides exactly what it suggests: education progress tracked by competencies. That means, rather than measure student progress by the time spent in a course, the competency-based model measures student aptitude.

General Benefits of Competency-Based Learning

Minimal time wasted on subjects that have already been mastered or are unnecessary for the learner
Learning is more personalized, focused, and purposeful
Learners progress at their own pace, no longer confined to standardized time markers
Skill-based learning allows for quicker progress for more advanced learners
Education typically helps generate more revenue because enrollment rates are much higher due to the fact that learners get exactly what they are looking for

Benefits for online programs
When competency-based education is utilized in online programs, both universities and students stand to benefit substantially.

Specified learning allows students to earn certifications or credentials in specific fields
Focused learning enables quicker mastery as well as more current and applicable material
Competencies in most professions are readily defined, which makes for easier course development
Competency-specific modules double as refreshment courses and reminders for experienced practitioners
Final outcome tests are powerful tools for measuring in-house applicant’s or trainee’s aptitude levels

Next Steps For Competency-Based Online Programs
As universities continue to define and build competency maps, competency-based online programs will steadily improve. However, online programs must ensure that it meets the following requirements:

Learners must be able to absorb and apply learning
Learning objectives must be identifiable and job-specific
Learning must be engaging and immersive for modern learners
Competency-based program must accurately measure prior learning and/or skills
Learning must be current, relevant, and flexible

This is where interactive online video comes in.

2. Interactive Online Video Learning

Despite being the fastest-growing form of continuing education today, interactive online learning is still relatively new. That means that it’s still in the process of discovery. With online videos taking up about 1/3 of all internet activity, online educators are looking for the most effective ways of incorporating education into online videos. Optimal results in online video learning are found when the lessons are engaging, responsive, and, most importantly, interactive. Interactive online training often begins with a demonstration. The learner must then apply their learning into practical scenarios to demonstrate adequate understanding – all within the video content itself.

Benefits of Interactive Online Video Learning
The best way to improve the educational experience of online videos is to turn them from a passive experience into an active experience.

Learn by practice and through the recollection of actual experience
Learners are given real-world scenarios and situations to apply learning
Keep learners engaged, attentive, and retentive, gauging comprehension levels on the go
Multiple delivery methods, such as gamified, scenario-based, and/or story-based videos
Intuitive videos enable learners to apply prior learning or to advance through completed sections

3. Competency-Based Interactive Online Learning for Universities

Though interactive online video learning for higher education is still new, the relationship between these two sides is absolutely ideal. Over time, online programs have morphed from long on-demand videos into short modular segments that are more focused and visually enhanced. These micro-lessons are often called nano courses or nano credits. With interactive online video added to these nano credits, students are able to earn credit for learning quicker and through the application of practical skills. Furthermore, time waste is drastically reduced, and the study flexibility increases tenfold.

Overall Benefits

Education typically helps generate more revenue because enrollment rates a much higher due to the fact that learners get exactly what they are looking for
Realistic and challenging scenarios make learning engaging and useful
Material learned from nano credits is gained quickly and instantly applicable
Effective for self-assessment, training, and/or mastery of a topic
Nano courses are quick and easy to create, allowing lawyers to earn credits in newly developed areas
Easily created and updated videos allow for the most up-to-date and relevant information
Enables students to stay engaged while learning around very demanding schedules
Situational-based learning and exercises helps for drafting documents, responding to real life questions, and many other scenarios

Adding interactive online training courses helps universities to drastically improve their reach online. Right at this moment, potential students can advance their skills in the areas they want, where they want, and in the order they want. With interactive online video, universities remain competitive while helping potential learners to achieve these skills in more engaging and practical ways while better retaining more applicable knowledge.

Vocalmeet’s higher education platform comes with a customizable interactive video player that creates an engaging learning experience for your members. Here are a few examples that can be used for all of the strategies outlined above: